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technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...

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The Pine Point hydrometallurgical facility will similarly be provided with a comprehensive<br />

analytical and hydrometallurgical facility to allow <strong>the</strong> rapid assays needed for process c<strong>on</strong>trol<br />

and testwork needed to ensure optimal operati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong> plant.<br />

TAILINGS MANAGEMENT FACILITIES<br />

THOR LAKE TAILINGS MANAGEMENT FACILITY<br />

General<br />

The tailings management facility design was prepared by Knight Piésold. The design basis and<br />

criteria for <strong>the</strong> TMF are based <strong>on</strong> Canadian standards for <strong>the</strong> design of dams. In particular, all<br />

aspects of <strong>the</strong> design of <strong>the</strong> TMF have been completed in compliance with <strong>the</strong> following<br />

documents:<br />

• Canadian Dam Associati<strong>on</strong> (CDA) Dam Safety Guidelines (CDA 2007)<br />

• The Mining Associati<strong>on</strong> of Canada (MAC) Guide to <strong>the</strong> Management of Tailings Facilities<br />

(MAC 1998)<br />

The principle objective of <strong>the</strong> TMF design is to ensure protecti<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong> envir<strong>on</strong>ment during<br />

operati<strong>on</strong>s and in <strong>the</strong> l<strong>on</strong>g-term (after closure) and achieve effective reclamati<strong>on</strong> at mine<br />

closure. The pre-feasibility design of <strong>the</strong> TMF has taken into account <strong>the</strong> following<br />

requirements:<br />

• Permanent, secure and total c<strong>on</strong>finement of all tailings solids within an engineered<br />

facility<br />

• C<strong>on</strong>trol, collecti<strong>on</strong> and removal of free draining liquids from <strong>the</strong> tailings during<br />

operati<strong>on</strong>s, for recycling as process water to <strong>the</strong> maximum practical extent<br />

• The inclusi<strong>on</strong> of m<strong>on</strong>itoring features for all aspects of <strong>the</strong> facility to ensure performance<br />

goals are achieved and design criteria and assumpti<strong>on</strong>s are met<br />

The TMF design includes a Phase 1 and Phase 2 c<strong>on</strong>figurati<strong>on</strong> that is raised and expanded in<br />

an <strong>on</strong>going manner throughout <strong>the</strong> mine life. This offers a number of advantages as follows:<br />

• The ability to reduce capital costs and defer some capital expenditures until <strong>the</strong> mine is<br />

operating.<br />

• The ability to refine design and c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> methodologies as experience is gained with<br />

local c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s and c<strong>on</strong>straints.<br />

• The ability to adjust at a future date to remain current with “state-of-<strong>the</strong>-art” engineering<br />

and envir<strong>on</strong>mental practices, etc.<br />

Technical Report 43-101 – March 13, 2011 Page 18-42<br />

Prepared by Aval<strong>on</strong> Rare Metals Inc.

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